SPAY/NEUTER

Benefits of Spay/Neuter

Aside from stopping pet overpopulation, one of the most important reasons to spay/neuter your pet is to eliminate or substantially reduce the risks of various types of cancer. Cancer is the leading cause of death in mature dogs. Fifty percent of dogs older than 10 will die of cancer.

SPAYING

Spaying is a general term used to describe the surgical removal of the ovaries and uterus (ovariohysterectomy) of a female pet.

NEUTERING

Neutering describes the surgical removal of the testicles (castration) of a male pet.

FIXING

"Fixing," "altering" and "sterilizing" are other common terms used to reference spaying or neutering of both male and female pets.

Reasons to Spay/Neuter Your Pet

1

Your female pet will live a longer, healthier life.

Spaying helps prevent uterine infections and certain types of cancer, including ovarian and mammary (breast) cancer. Spaying your pet before her first heat cycle offers the best protection from these diseases. The first heat cycle can occur as early as 5 months.

2

Neutering provides major health benefits for males.

Besides preventing unwanted litters, neutering your male companion prevents testicular cancer, if done before six months of age and reduces the risk of prostate problems.

3

Your spayed female won’t go into heat.

While cycles can vary, female felines usually go into heat four to five days every three weeks during breeding season and can attract unwanted suitors. In an effort to advertise for mates, they can cry incessantly, act nervous and urinate more frequently – sometimes all over the house!

4

Spaying or neutering will NOT make your pet fat.

Don’t use that old excuse! Lack of exercise and overfeeding will cause your pet to pack on the extra pounds – not neutering. Your pet will remain fit and trim as long as you continue to provide adequate exercise and food portions.

5

Your male dog won’t want to roam away from home.

An intact male will do just about anything to find a mate! That includes digging his way under the fence and escaping at any opportunity. Besides being lost from you, once he’s free to roam, he risks injury in traffic and fights with other males.

6

Your neutered male will be much better behaved.

Neutered cats and dogs focus their attention on their human families. On the other hand, unneutered dogs and cats may mark their territory by spraying strong-smelling urine all over the house. Many behavior problems can be avoided by early neutering.

7

Spaying and neuter is highly cost-effective.

The cost of your pet’s spay/neuter surgery is a lot less than the cost of having and caring for a litter, treating cancers and other medical conditions that spaying/neutering can eliminate or significantly reduce the risks of occurring, and treating injuries caused by fights.

8

Fixing your pet is good for the community

Communities pay millions of dollars every year to collect, house and care for homeless animals. You pay the costs whether or not you own a pet. Stray animals also pose a real problem in many parts of the country. They can prey on wildlife, cause car accidents, damage the local fauna and frighten children. Spaying and neutering substantially reduces the number of homeless cats and dogs on the streets.

9

Spay/Neuter helps fight pet overpopulation.

Every year, millions of cats and dogs of all ages and breeds enter shelters where over half of them are euthanized or they suffer as strays on the street without food or medical care. The high number of cats and dogs being euthanized each year is the direct result of unplanned litters that could have easily been prevented by people spaying or neutering their pets.